Scarlet Fever Rash Causes and Mode of Transmission
The infection occurs as a result of an infection with exotoxin-producing group A beta-hemolyptic streptococci (GABHS) called streptococcus pyogenes. It is important to note that not all streptococci bacteria release this toxin and also not all children in the stated age bracket are y may both be infected with a strep infection but only the one who is sensitive to toxin may develop the scarlet rash and the other one may not.
Although pharyngeal streptococcal infections, commonly known as strep throat is majorly the cause of scarlet fever, in some cases, it is commonly caused by stretptococcal infections that may occur in other parts of the body like the skin. An approximated 10% of scarlet fever infections arise from people who develop streptococcal pharyngitis.
The fever is not as common today as it was a century ago when it was connected with some fatal contagion. It has gradually been stamped out due to the introductions and improvement of antibiotics which in their early usage in the healing of streptococcal infectivity has vetoed many of the fever's cases as well as the long-term impediment of rheumatic fever. Scarlet fever is more prone to children aged between two and eight years. Most children develop a permanent defensive antibibodies against streptococcal toxins. Younger children on the other hand are usually vulnerable because of the antiexotoxin antibodies which they acquire from their mothers. The scarlet fever rash affects both girls and boys in the same measure.
Scarlet fever is contagious and one infected person can transmit it to many others that he/she may come into contact with. Infected saliva droplets that are emitted by infected persons through coughing or sneezing carry the pathogens that cause scarlet fever.
Research has pointed out that a substantial number (between 15% and 20%) are thought to be asymptotic as they are carriers of the toxin produced by the streptococcal bacteria but don't show any signs. To be infected by the fever, one has to be vulnerable to the toxin that the streptococcal bacterium produces. Cases of only one child in a family in a family of even four children developing the fever are common even though the other three may all have the streptococcal infection. Only kids vulnerable to the toxin develop the fever which generally has an incubation period of between one and four days.
People infected by the bacterium should be isolated from the rest of the populace to reduce the risks of infecting the rest of the population. School going children should be kept away from school for atleast 24 hours after taking antibiotics and when they show signs of recovery. Further to that, high hygiene should be encouraged in the family especially washing of hands with soap. Sharing of personal belongings like clothes, towels and bed linens between children should be discouraged.